Method and system for providing access to a database

ABSTRACT

A method and system for providing user-friendly access to a database are described. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a database server. There is at least one database coupled to the database server, wherein the database server enables access to the at least one database. A user-defined interface configured to have access to the at least one database, wherein the user-defined interface is customized to have functionality to suit specific needs of a user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Under 35 USC §120, this application is a continuation application andclaims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/280,306 filed Oct. 25, 2002, entitled “Method and System forProviding Access to A Database”, all of which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to databases, and more particularly to amethod and system for providing user-friendly access to a database.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Database systems are used to store data and to allow users to accesssuch data. Database systems can include a database server and one ormore databases. The database system manages access to the databases.Today's database management systems also allow the user systems to berun by the database application. Examples of such functions areuser-defined functions, triggers, and stored procedures. It is nowpossible to build non-trivial database applications.

A user typically accesses a database using an application program, whichincludes a database interface, often referred to as a browser interface.The database interface has access to the database system. Morespecifically, the database interface connects to the database system andcan send queries to the database server to obtain information from oneor more of the databases. Typically, the database interface includesfields to allow the user to enter such queries. The database interfacealso displays the data to the user.

The database system, which includes the database server and the databaseinterface, is managed and maintained by database applicationprogrammers. For example, if the user requires one or more new fields tobe added to the database interface, the database application programmerscan modify the database interface to include the new fields. Similarly,if the user requires a particular new feature, e.g., a special sortfunction, the database application programmers can modify the databaseinterface to include the new feature.

Because there are typically multiple users who access a given database,a database application programmer attempts to design a databaseinterface that can accommodate the needs of many users. When needschange, the database application programmer make the requiredmodifications to the database interface.

A problem with conventional database systems is changes to the databaseinterface are administratively burdensome. Typically, as the number ofusers increases, the number of modifications also increases. Thedatabase interface should ideally change as the users' needs change.Also, the users of the database system may not agree as to how thedatabase interface should be modified. As a result, databases interfacesare typically not very user friendly. Accordingly, access to databasesis not user-friendly.

Accordingly, what is needed is a method and system for providinguser-friendly access to a database. The method and system should be ableto provide an interface that can be conveniently adapted to specificneeds of the user. The present invention addresses such a need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for providing user-friendly access to a database is enclosed.More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide adatabase server. There is at least one database coupled to the databaseserver, wherein the database server enables access to the at least onedatabase. A user-defined interface configured to have access to the atleast one database, wherein the user-defined interface is customized tohave functionality to suit specific needs of a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a database system in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of a login screen of a database interface 70 inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view of a screen showing various metadata obtained fromqueries, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view of a screen showing a stored procedures center, inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view of a screen showing a defined function center, inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a method for establishing an initialconnection between a user-defined interface and a database system inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view of a login screen of a database interface in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view of a Structured Query Language (SQL) screen of thedatabase interface of FIG. 7 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view of the SQL screen of FIG. 8 with instructions directingthe database system to a user-defined interface;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a method for connecting a user-definedinterface to a database system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a view of a login screen of a user-defined interfacesubsequent to an initial set-up session in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a view of a screen of the user-defined interface of FIG. 11,where the screen shows a “New customer registration” hypertext link anda “Customer search” hypertext link in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a view of a screen that appears when the “Customer search”hypertext link of FIG. 12 is selected, in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a view of another screen of the user-defined interface inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a view of a screen that appears when the “New customerregistration” hypertext link of FIG. 12 is selected, in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 16 is a view of a screen that appears after the information of FIG.15 has been submitted;

FIG. 17 is a view of the same screen of FIG. 13 where the new customerinformation of FIG. 15 has been entered; and

FIG. 18 is a view of a screen similar to that of FIG. 14 where the newcustomer information of FIG. 15 has been retrieved along withinformation of other customers with the same last name.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to databases, and more particularly to amethod and system for providing user-friendly access to a database. Thefollowing description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill inthe art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context ofa patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to thepreferred embodiment and the generic principles and features describedherein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, thepresent invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shownbut is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principlesand features described herein.

Generally, the embodiments of the present invention provideuser-friendly access to a database. A user-defined interface isconfigured to have access to one or more databases, and the user-definedinterface is customized with functionality to suit specific needs of auser. The user-defined interface can be customized by the user, a systemadministrator, even the database application programmer, etc. There canbe more than one user-defined interface so that multiple users can eachhave a customized user-defined interface with which to access one ormore databases. FIG. 1 describes an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a database system 50 in accordance with thepresent invention. The database system 50 includes a database server 52and one or more databases 54, 56, 58, and 60. Although four databasesare shown, there can be more than four databases and the specific numberwill depend on the specific application. In a preferred embodiment, thedatabase system 50 is a relational database such as a NetDB2 databasesystem. In this specific embodiment, the database system 50 has a NetDB2application layer, which is tied to a database application programmerinterface 62, hereinafter referred to as database interface 62. Thedatabase interface is a NetDB2 interface. The database interface 62 andthe database server 52 are linked via an HTTP server 64 and a servletengine 66.

Note that the present invention is not limited to NetDB2 databasesystems and may apply to other databases systems and still remain withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

The database interface 62 allows access to the database system 50 andits databases 54-60. Alternatively, a user can create a user-definedinterface 68. The user-defined interface 68 and the database server 52are linked via the HTTP server 64 and the servlet engine 66.

The user-defined interface 68 is customized with functionality to suitspecific needs of the user, and the functionality of the user-definedinterface can change as the user's needs change. Hence, a benefit of theuser-defined interface 68 being customized is that it will be much moreuser friendly than the database interface 62.

In a preferred embodiment, the user-defined interface is created andmanaged by a user. This user is different from a database applicationprogrammer who manages the database system 50. The user merely hasaccess to the database system 50, and more specifically one or moredatabases, via the user-defined interface. However, there can bemultiple user-defined interfaces created by different users.Accordingly, in a specific embodiment, a manager of the database system,such as a database application programmer, can also create auser-defined interface to suit the manager's specific needs.

Because there can be multiple user-defined interfaces that access thedatabases, the specific mapping between user-defined interfaces todatabases can vary and will depend on the specific application. Forexample, in one embodiment, a particular user-defined interface can becoupled to one or more databases uniquely associated with thatuser-defined interface. In another embodiment, multiple user-definedinterfaces can share one or more databases.

In another embodiment, the user can not only create and manage acustomized interface, but the user can also create and manage one ormore databases. The user who created the database can define the accessand control of such databases. In a specific embodiment, both a databaseapplication programmer and a user can create and manage a database. In aspecific embodiment, only the user who created a particular user-defineddatabase can manage it. Because the database application programmermanages the database system, the database application programmercontrols the protocols for enabling connection between a user-defineddatabase and the database system.

A system and method in accordance with the present invention allow theusers to implement their own interfaces and communicate to the databasesystem using such interfaces. Because the user interface design andfunctionality are driven by users, a system and method in accordancewith the present invention provide full functionality with ease of useand performance, consistency, and simplicity. This is advantageousconsidering that most if not all of the users of the system are remoteusers accessing the service over the Internet.

FIG. 2 is a view of a login screen of a database interface 70 inaccordance with the present invention. The top-middle portion of thescreen 72 is reserved for entering SQL queries. The lower-middle portionof the screen 74 shows the results of the SQL queries. Users commonlyrefer to metadata, tools, and documentation during the use of thedatabase system service. The left portion of the screen 76 lists toolsand available documentation, which are displayed upon a simpleselection. Whenever metadata is queried from the left portion of thescreen 76, the metadata queried is displayed on the right portion of thescreen 78.

The different metadata can be queried by a single selection of MyThings80. They include a list of tables, stored procedures, and user-definedfunctions. FIG. 3 is a view of a screen showing various metadataobtained on querying MyThings 80, in accordance with the presentinvention.

Referring back to FIG. 2, there are links to a script center 82, astored procedure center 84, a user-defined function (UDF) center 86.Each center link can be associated with a separate database-applicationdevelopment facility. There is also a link to a bulk data Load utility88.

The script center 82 allows users to send more than one SQL query to thedata base system in one click. SQL queries can be separated by adelimiter character. The script center is particularly useful, forexample, when an activity that is repeatedly performed against adatabase requires more than one SQL statement. Examples include thecreation and population of a table or when users share scripts. FIG. 3shows a portion of the script center.

FIG. 4 is a view of a screen showing the stored procedures center 84, inaccordance with the present invention. The stored procedure center 84 isused to create stored procedures. Stored procedures are a set of SQLstatements used together with control logic. Applications used storedprocedures to implement logic outside or around SQL statements. They canreduce network communication and can been used to improve performance inclient/server applications.

FIG. 5 is a view of a screen showing a defined function center 86, inaccordance with the present invention. The user-defined function center86 is used to extend the built-in functions supplied with the databasemanager. A user can write or input user-defined function supplied with adatabase manager.

The bulk data Load utility 88 (link shown on FIG. 2) is useful, becausedata resides at the database service provider side. It is used to uploaddata from the user's computer through the network and insert into theuser table specified.

Because the user manages the user-defined interface, the user can modifyit as often as the user desires. This benefit is important because assuch the user need not be required to consult with or seek authorizationfrom another user or the database application programmer. Accordingly,the user-defined interface can be modified by the user when necessary toinclude functions and features meet any new needs of the user. In aspecific embodiment, any particular user-defined interface can bemodified by other authorized users. Such authorized users can beauthorized by the user who created the user-defined database.

A user initially accesses the database system 50 via the databaseinterface 62. During an initial setup session, the user can configurethe database system 50 to allow access via a user-defined interface 68.Thereafter, during subsequent sessions, a connection between theuser-defined interface 68 and the database server 52. The stepsdescribed below and shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 further explain the operationof the database system 50.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a method for establishing an initialconnection between a user-defined interface and a database system inaccordance with the present invention. In step 102, the database systemenables access to it via a database interface. To enable access, thedatabase system receives user information such as a user identification(ID) and password, for example.

FIG. 7 is a view of a login screen of a database interface in accordancewith the present invention. In this specific embodiment, the databaseinterface is a NetDB2 interface for a Net DB2 database system. As shownin FIG. 7, a user enters a user ID in the user ID field 120 and enters apassword in the password field 122 to get access to a database system.

Note that while some embodiments of the present invention disclosedherein are described in the context of NetDB2 database systems, thepresent invention also applies to other database systems and stillremains within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring back to FIG. 6, in step 104, the database system is configuredto enable access to the database system via a user-defined interface.More specifically, the database system enables the user-definedinterface to have access to one or more databases of the databasesystem. Steps 102 and 104 are generally referred to herein as an initialsetup session.

FIG. 8 is a view of a Structured Query Language (SQL) screen 126 of thedatabase interface of FIG. 7 in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view of the SQL screen of FIG. 8 with instructions 130directing the database system to a user-defined interface. As shown, anexecuted statement 132 in an SQL field indicates a URL selection 134.While only one URL is shown in this specific embodiment, there can bemultiple URLs from which to select. Upon execution of the executedstatement, a user-selected URL corresponding to the executed statementis shown in a results box.

Referring back to FIG. 6, in step 106, the database system enablesaccess the database system via the user-defined interface. Steps 102,104, and 106 can be repeated for other user-defined interfaces.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a method for connecting a user-definedinterface to a database system in accordance with the present invention.In future sessions, i.e., after an initial setup session, the databasesystem allows accesses to it via a user-defined interface. Eachuser-defined interface is customized to specific needs of a user orgroup of users having access to the user-defined interface.

In step 110, the database system receives user information. The userinformation can include user identification (ID) and a user password,for example. The user information is associated with a particularuser-defined interface. In a specific embodiment, when the databasesystem receives the user information, the database system creates an IDobject. The ID object includes a session ID, which itself can includeinformation such as a browser ID and a user ID. The session IDcorresponds to a user database. The browser ID is associated with auser-defined interface and the user ID is associated with a particularuser system. If the user information is valid, the database systemrecognizes the user information, e.g., session ID, and fetches one ormore databases. The database system then connects the user-definedinterface to at least one of the databases.

FIG. 11 is a view of a login screen of a user-defined interfacesubsequent to an initial setup session in accordance with the presentinvention. In this specific embodiment, the database login screen looksthe same as the database login screen of FIG. 7. The user enters thesame user ID and a password as entered in FIG. 7. However, after theinitial setup session as shown in FIGS. 7-9, the database system takesthe user to a user-selected URL such as the URL shown in FIG. 9, forexample. In fact, during sessions subsequent to the initial setupsession, the database system routes all traffic associated with theuser-selected URL.

Referring back to FIG. 10, in step 112, the database system connects theuser-defined interface to the database system. More specifically, whenthe user-defined interface is coupled to the database system, thedatabase system can connect the user-defined interface to at least oneof the databases. Also, a database server manages the connection betweenthe user-defined interface and the one or more databases. In a preferredembodiment, the user database is a NetDB2 database.

Each database can be managed by a user via a user-defined interfacecorresponding to each database. In a specific embodiment, each databasecan also be accessed by multiple user-defined interfaces, whether or nota given database is managed by an accessing user-defined interface.

When the user-defined interface is coupled to the database system, thedatabase system passes structured query language (SQL) between theuniform resource locator (URL) of the user-defined interface and thedatabase system.

FIGS. 12-18 are views of screens further exemplifying a user-definedinterface.

FIG. 12 is a view of a screen of the user-defined interface of FIG. 11where the screen shows a “New customer registration” hypertext link 146and a “Customer search” hypertext link 148 in accordance with thepresent invention. For ease of illustration, the screen shown is simpleand includes two hypertext links. The complexity of the screen of theuser-defined interface can vary and will depend of the specificapplication.

FIG. 13 is a view of a screen that appears when the “Customer search”hypertext link 148 of FIG. 12 is selected, in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 is a view of another screen of the user-defined interface inaccordance with the present invention. This view shows examples ofcustomer information that can be retrieved from a database via theuser-defined interface.

FIG. 15 is a view of a screen that appears when the “New customerregistration” hypertext link 146 of FIG. 12 is selected, in accordancewith the present invention. This view shows fields provided by theuser-defined interface. New customer information can be entered intothese fields.

FIG. 16 is a view of a screen that appears after the information of FIG.15 has been submitted. The screen includes an execution statement 150.

FIG. 17 is a view of the same screen of FIG. 13 where the new customerinformation of FIG. 15 has been entered.

FIG. 18 is a view of a screen similar to that of FIG. 14 where the newcustomer information of FIG. 15 has been retrieved along withinformation of other customers with the same last name.

According to the method and system disclosed herein, the presentinvention provides numerous benefits. For example, it enables a user toaccess a database system via a customized interface.

Multiple user-defined interfaces access one or more databases. As such,user-friendly access to one or more databases is allowed.

Although the present invention has been described in accordance with theembodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readilyrecognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and thosevariations would be within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one ofordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

1. A database system, comprising: a database server, wherein thedatabase server is managed and maintained by one or more databaseapplication programmers; at least one database coupled to the databaseserver, wherein the database server enables access to the at least onedatabase; a database interface configured to provide queries for thedatabase server and to display information from the database server, thedatabase interface associated with the database server and being managedand maintained by the one or more database application programmers; anda user-defined visual user interface distinct from the databaseinterface and configured by the database interface to communicate withand have access to the at least one database via the database server asan alternative to the database interface for a user that is differentfrom the one or more database application programmers, wherein theuser-defined visual user interface is created, managed, and customizedby the user to have customized functionality to suit specific needs ofthe user, wherein the customized functionality is not restricted byfunctionality provided by the database interface, and wherein the userdoes not manage and does not maintain the database interface.
 2. Thedatabase system of claim 1, wherein the user-defined visual userinterface is associated with the user such that the user is anassociated user, and wherein the user-defined visual user interface ispresented to the associated user and is connected to the at least onedatabase when the associated user is identified to the database system.3. The database system of claim 1, wherein the customized functionalityof the user-defined visual user interface can be modified by the user aschanges are needed, and wherein a modification to the user-definedvisual user interface can be accomplished by the user withoutauthorization from the one or more database application programmers. 4.The database system of claim 2, wherein the user previously designatedthe user-defined visual user interface to be presented and connected tothe at least one database when the user is identified.
 5. The databasesystem of claim 2, wherein the database interface is used to configurethe user-defined visual user interface and associate the user with theuser-defined visual user interface during an initial setup session,wherein the user-defined visual user interface can have access to the atleast one database in subsequent sessions after the initial setupsession without having to configure the user-defined visual userinterface to have access to the at least one database.
 6. The databasesystem of claim 1, wherein the database system is a relational databasesystem and the user-defined visual user interface is a relationaldatabase interface.
 7. The database system of claim 1, wherein theuser-defined visual user interface is one of a plurality of differentuser-defined visual user interfaces, each of the user interfaces beingconfigured to have access to the at least one database and each of theuser interfaces being associated with at least one of a plurality ofusers of the database system.
 8. The database system of claim 1, whereinthe customized functionality of the user-defined visual user interfaceincludes at least one user-defined interface feature created by the userand operative to provide a user-defined query for the at least onedatabase, wherein the user-defined query is enabled by the customizedfunctionality and not restricted by the functionality provided by thedatabase interface.
 9. The database system of claim 1, wherein thecustomized functionality of the user-defined visual user interfaceincludes at least one user-defined interface feature operative toreceive input used in accessing the at least one database.
 10. Acomputer-implemented method for providing access to a database system,the database system including at least one database, thecomputer-implemented method comprising: configuring the database systemto enable a user-defined visual user interface to access the at leastone database, wherein the database system includes a database servermanaged and maintained by one or more database application programmersand includes a database interface associated with a database server anddistinct from the user-defined visual user interface for a user that isdifferent from the one or more database application programmers, whereinthe database interface is managed and maintained by the one or moredatabase application programmers, is configured to provide queries forthe database server and display information from the database server,and is used to configure the user-defined visual user interface to haveaccess to the at least one database; and executing at least oneinstruction to connect the user-defined visual user interface to theleast one database as an alternative to the database interface for theuser that is different from the one or more database applicationprogrammers, wherein the user-defined visual user interface is created,managed, and customized by the user to have customized functionalitydetermined by the user to suit specific needs of the user, wherein thecustomized functionality is not restricted by functionality provided bythe database interface, and wherein the user does not manage and doesnot maintain the database interface.
 11. The computer-implemented methodof claim 10, wherein the customized functionality of the user-definedvisual user interface includes at least one user-defined interfacefeature created by the user and operative to provide a user-definedquery for the at least one database, wherein the user-defined query isenabled by the customized functionality and not restricted by thefunctionality provided by the database interface.
 12. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the database system isconfigured to enable the user-defined visual user interface to accessthe at least one database via the database interface during an initialsetup session.
 13. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, whereinconnecting the user-defined visual user interface to the least onedatabase comprises receiving user information to enable the user to loginto the database system, wherein the user information used to log intothe database system when configuring the database system is the sameuser information used to log into the database system when connectingthe user-defined visual user interface to the at least one database. 14.The computer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising the stepof querying the database system for a list of tables.
 15. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising querying thedatabase system for a list of stored procedures.
 16. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising querying thedatabase system for a list of user-defined functions.
 17. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising creatingstored procedures.
 18. The computer-implemented method of claim 10,further comprising extending one or more built-in functions supplied bythe one or more database application programmers.
 19. Acomputer-implemented method for providing access to a database system,the database system including at least one database, thecomputer-implemented method comprising: receiving user informationassociated with a user-defined visual user interface configured tocommunicate with the at least one database via a database server, theuser-defined visual user interface comprising an alternative interfacefor a user to a database interface, the database interface beingdistinct from the user-defined visual user interface, the user-definedvisual interface associated with the database server, the user-definedvisual interface to provide queries for the database server, to displayinformation from the database server, and to configure the user-definedvisual user interface to enable access to the at least one database,wherein the user-defined visual user interface is stored and is created,managed, and customized by the user that is different from one or moredatabase application programmers who manage and maintain the databasesystem and the database interface and wherein the user does not manageand does not maintain the database interface, wherein the user-definedvisual user interface includes customized functionality that is storedand determined by the user to suit specific needs of the user, andwherein the customized functionality is not restricted by functionalityprovided by the database interface; and storing the user information andusing the user information to connect the user-defined visual userinterface to the at least one database.
 20. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 19, wherein connecting the user-defined visual userinterface to the at least one database comprises creating anidentification (ID) object from the user information.
 21. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 20, wherein the ID object includesa session ID, wherein the session ID corresponds to a user database. 22.The computer-implemented method of claim 21, wherein the session IDincludes a browser ID and a user ID, wherein the browser ID isassociated with the user-defined visual user interface and the user IDis associated with a user system.
 23. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 19, wherein the customized functionality of the user-definedvisual user interface includes at least one user-defined interfacefeature created by the user and operative to provide a user-definedquery for the at least one database, wherein the user-defined query isenabled by the customized functionality and not restricted by thefunctionality provided by the database interface.
 24. Acomputer-readable storage medium including program instructions forconnecting a user-defined visual user interface to at least onedatabase, the program instructions executable by a computer to configurea database system to enable the user-defined visual user interface toaccess the at least one database, wherein the database system includes adatabase server managed and maintained by one or more databaseapplication programmers and includes a database interface associatedwith the database server and distinct from the user-defined visual userinterface for a user that is different from the one or more databaseapplication programmers, wherein the database interface is associatedwith the database server, is managed and maintained by the one or moredatabase application programmers, is configured to provide queries forthe database server and display information from the database server,and is used to configure the user-defined visual user interface to haveaccess to the at least one database; and execute at least oneinstruction to connect the user-defined visual user interface to theleast one database as an alternative to the database interface for auser that is different from the one or more database applicationprogrammers, wherein the user-defined visual user interface is created,managed, and customized by the user to have customized functionalitydetermined by the user to suit specific needs of the user, and whereinthe customized functionality is not restricted by functionality providedby the database interface, and wherein the user does not manage and doesnot maintain the database interface.
 25. A computer-readable storagemedium including program instructions for connecting a user-definedvisual user interface to at least one database, the program instructionsexecutable by a computer to: receive user information associated with auser-defined visual user interface configured to communicate with the atleast one database via a database server as an alternative for a user toa database interface, the database interface being distinct from theuser-defined visual user interface, associated with the database server,providing queries for the database server, displaying information fromthe database server, and being used to configure the user-defined visualuser interface to have access to the at least one database, wherein theuser-defined visual user interface is stored and is created, managed,and customized by the user that is different from one or more databaseapplication programmers who manage and maintain the database system anddatabase interface and wherein the user does not manage and does notmaintain the database interface, wherein the user-defined visual userinterface includes customized functionality that is stored anddetermined by the user to suit specific needs of the user, and whereinthe customized functionality is not restricted by functionality providedby the database interface; and store the user information and using theuser information to connect the user-defined visual user interface tothe at least one database.